Icom IC-705 vs Elecraft KX2: The Quick and Dirty..

[@gregmihran8616]

Hey Jason, I'm really not a QRP guy (100 watts POTA for me) but I did want to make one comment ... THANK YOU for peeling off that IC-705 display plastic. Leaving it on reminds me of my elderly relatives leaving plastic coverings on their furniture :) 73 KJ6ER

[@vitaflo]

Your final thoughts are spot on. I have the IC-703 and thought about getting the 705 to replace it, but realized what I really want more than anything is something small and light, so I went with the KX2 instead. There are times I'd love the extra features of the 705, but when I'm loading my backpack for a hike I'm really happy I got the KX2.

[@HammockRadio]

Yep, it's hard to beat the compactness of the KX2 when it comes to being backpack portable.

[@briantwaster5084]

I agree. The added weight even in a backpack is not an issue for me, with all the additional features the 705 brings. Heck, I lug a 891 with battery up the mountain!! Thanks for the comparison!

[@ronniet5680]

I bought the 891, thanks

[@johnroberts9332]

Just watching the peeling of the clear plastic just got me all excited. Just like watching at the local gentleman's club.

[@HammockRadio]

HAHA, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@TXLorenzo]

I am in the same boat, have both the IC 705 and the FT 891 in a manpack configuration as well as another FT891 for the car. If the IC 705 and the FT 891 could have a baby it would be nearly perfect, especially if they made it weatherproof.

[@KX4UL]

I think the reason some prefer the sound of the IC-705 is because of the bass giving it a deeper, fuller sound. In a noisy environment the KX2's sharp clear audio would prevail. It is specifically designed to have a sharp, crisp sound for that very reason and to save battery life. Bass requires more power. I have a Yaesu FT-817nd and an ICOM IC-703 I am perfectly happy with for QRP. I also have the Yaesu FT-891 that I can run at 5 watts QRP or 100 watts making it very versatile. The IC-705 is an excellent radio, but it is overkill on the features for a field QRP rig in my opinion. Everyone's needs and desires are different so, I am not putting down any of the 3 radios. Buy the one you like best and get on the air and have fun...73!

[@HammockRadio]

I agree, whatever gets you on the air works, regardless of mode or radio! As for the audio, the 705 has a nice big case with a front firing speaker like a 7200 (and a speaker/mic), whereas the KX2 was on the back of a tiny case. I always had to resort to earbuds to hear with it. However, the single cable (or wireless) digital mode capability of the 705 sealed the deal for me, so I can operate the same way I use my 7300.

[@forgetyourlife]

The ft-891 wins in price, audio and size for the power it can do. A Bioenno 6amp hour batter can run it at 50 watts for hours or 5 watts for even longer.

[@HammockRadio]

The FT-891 is definitely a great value. I plan to do a more in depth performance comparison between the two later on.

[@TechGearJunkie]

Thanks Jason. I'll take the built in tuner every time, because I am lazy.

[@HammockRadio]

Ain't nonthin wrong with that!

[@georgewashington7444]

From a ham with Ic705, FT818 and other small cw transceivers. The Ic705 is amazing but at a cost. If you want to just make contacts for SOTA/POTA you can’t go wrong with the FT818 for much less $$ Many days planned activating do not go as planned weather-wise. FT818 vs Ic705 vs KX2 which one am I bringing in (light) rain or snow?

[@ag1382]

KX2 is clearly the best for small light QRP portable with the internal tuner. Power consumption also goes to KX2 (KX2 - .155 with backlight on receive; 705 - .300 mA receive; 891 - 2 A on receive). If you are “Bedazzled” with the flashy display over functionality, then enjoy watching it.

[@HammockRadio]

Thanks for the input!

[@OH8STN]

A little annoying initially, but you came to the point in the end. KX2 is a great CW, SSB rig, ultra-portable, lightweight, great for a few hours out of a summit. The 705 is more of a "systems" approach to portable qrp radio. Neither one is bad, and like you said, depends on operating style. Nice video, and thanks for sharing. 73, Julian oh8stn

[@HammockRadio]

Thanks Julian! And yeah, due to technical difficulties, the video didn't go as planned and I had to make due with what I had.

[@DannerPlace]

Helpful video, thanks for posting & 73...

[@phildurall7466]

Nice Jason! Short sweet and provided enough info to help people to get a feel for what they offer.

[@HammockRadio]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@o00scorpion00o]

The FT-891 is one of the best sounding radios ever, the audio ( Via Headphones ) is stunning even without any noise reduction and hands down, I prefer it over the 7300, my 7300 is a decent radio but the Icom focus more on Bling today than Audio and if I'm struggling to hear people due to harsh background noise I can't work them. The 891 also makes a superb SWL receiver. I use it a lot more than the 7300. The 891 has lots of menus but most are set and forget, I can forgive some poorer ergonomics for that glorious audio and 100 Watts that and the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 make for a fantastic portable setup and the MPAS 2.0 is a really quiet but excellent DX antenna for receiving too. If the 891 broke tomorrow I would buy another, no question. Could buy an 891 + MPAS 2.0 with CAP Hat for the price of the 705!

[@HammockRadio]

I agree, the audio is pretty darn good on the 891 and DNR is a godsend for the background static. I'm definitely keeping the 891, it's the perfect 100W portable when paired with a good antenna.

[@richardg4817]

When you were comparing the receivers, did you have the preamp turned on with the KX2? Seems like I don’t hear much on my KX3 unless I have the preamp on.

[@HammockRadio]

I think it's on by default most of the time, so yes, mainly because I mostly use the built in speaker. If I'm using earbuds, I have to turn it off or it's too loud.

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for the comparison

[@HammockRadio]

No problem!

[@barrykery1175]

My vote is for the KX2. I have an old Icom 703 and it's a great little radio. No ATU in the 705?......deal breaker for me. I like my KX3 but my KX2 is my Go To radio for portable QRP. Barry

[@HammockRadio]

I've heard good things about the 703, and it's hard to beat the Elecraft ATU. That's why I got the T1 kit just in case I needed a tuner. I plan on pairing a resonant linked EFHW with the 705, or using my Buddipole, so it's not as big of an issue for me. The KX2 (and even the KX3) has it beat in portability though!

[@johnwest7993]

My choices almost always boil down to price. I can never afford the optimal gear. But fortunately I know enough RF electronics to add circuitry to correct shortcomings or add features, and quite honestly I I think that's more fun.

[@AI6XG]

Nice video. I think the kx2 is awesome but the speaker is not awesome. Like you pointed out, on a mountain top headphones/earbuds are the way to go. I really dislike having to open the kx2 up to charge the internal battery, 705 is definitely nicer in this respect. Also for SOTA having an ATU just in case is helpful, you never know what will happen once you get to a summit and some 'engineering' may be required to get a signal out. And an EFRW will give the option of several bands. Saying all that, I will stay with my kx2 and Mountain Topper for SOTA. POTA, IOTA etc. operation I can not give any insight and appreciate you giving that analysis. TU de AI6XG

[@HammockRadio]

Thanks Dan! Good point about the KX2's battery, I forgot to mention it (among other things 😁). The KX2 definitely has its place.

[@johnk8091]

Among my QRP rigs, I own the IC-705, IC-703 plus, KX3 with PX3 pan adapter, FT-817 ND, McHF SDR. Without a doubt, my favourite by far is my IC-705, followed by my IC-703+, then my KX3, then McHF and lastly the FT-817ND.

[@HammockRadio]

How does the PX3 compare to the 705's screen? I've never played with one.

[@johnk8091]

@@HammockRadio From my experience, the PX3 is not as sensitive to signals as the IC-7300 and IC-705. A very weak signal will appear on my IC-705 and IC-7300 but will not appear on my Elecraft PX3. The PX3 does have advantages though - you can set a narrow "edge" on the PX3, for example you can zoom in and see only 20 Khz, then when you tune up the band it keeps on creating a new "edge" every time it moves off the old edge. So it has continuous tuning. In general, the IC-7300 and IC-705 has a better screen - more sensitive, more vibrant colours, touch screen and its built right into the rig - no separate screen with a mess of connecting cables

[@HammockRadio]

Huh, interesting! Can you still hear the weak signal even if the PX3 can't see it? The cable mess was part of why I parted with my KX2, one cable digital modes is a requirement these days.

[@johnk8091]

@@HammockRadio Oh yes, you can hear the weak stations okay - after all the KX3 (and KX2) have good receivers. It's just that the PX3 screen does not show up really weak signals like the IC-705 and IC-7300 can.

[@HammockRadio]

Well that's a bummer. I'd still like to play with one some day, or maybe it will be built into the KX4. :)

[@davidvaughn7752]

If you want to make contacts and know your equipment and like your equipment (I'm a FT-817ND owner/operator), then there is no difference except for features. I know my radio so well that I don't think that an operator using a 705 would be able to make more contacts based just on the features of the radio. I own and use a 7300 at the home QTH and it would be nice to have it in my pack which is what they've done with the 705... with the mods on my 817, I can do just as well RF as with something else. Nice radio comparison you do here though. Thanks. 73 K7GYB

[@HammockRadio]

No doubt. Knowing your radio well enough to know what to adjust to get the results you want is just as important, and key to being a good operator. I too have a 7300 at home, so being able to re-use that same knowledge with the 705 in the field is a huge bonus. In the end, all radios are doing the same thing, it just comes down to how you interface with it.

[@davidvaughn7752]

@@HammockRadio Indeed! 73

[@denniskimrey4129]

I have the 7300 if I want to do digital. Sure the KX2 is great for portable. Looking at a KX3.

[@HammockRadio]

Yep, one cable digital modes is great compared to the KX2's multiple cables and soundcard. While doable, isn't ideal. It's even better with the 705 since it can do it all wirelessly.

[@nrd515]

I've heard a 705 vs KX2 side by side in person. The 705 sounded a lot better, to my old ears at least, and while the KX2 might be better in a noisy environment, in general the Icom wins on clairty and sound quality.. For what I want to do, QRP mobile on HF and 2 meters in SSB, the Icom wins it. The friend who has the 705 has already said I could borrow it once he gets his "new toy" phase over with, and since I'm buying the antennas I need anyway, a trip in the car and a little airtime will make me decide what I want to end up doing.

[@HammockRadio]

Yep, the front facing speaker on the 705 sounds great. You won't be disappointed with the radio.

[@BennyCFD]

The 705 sounded better that the KX2. For the price the FT-891 is a better all around general purpose radio.

[@HammockRadio]

I agree on both points!

[@de_w8tam]

I'm not sure that running an amp with a QRP radio 'defeats the purpose', as much as expands what you can do with the radio. My $0.02. Thanks for the video! 73 de w8tam

[@HammockRadio]

You are correct, but I was just focusing on portability between the three. Adding the Elecraft amp or one of the Chinese amps just adds more bulk.

[@de_w8tam]

@@HammockRadio I built a Hardrock 50w amp that I'll be running with my IC-705. It's fairly portable, and can run off my 12ah bioenno. I use that setup (though with my LNR LD-11 transceiver) as my carry-on flight radio station. My HD50 also has a wide band antenna tuner in it. 73 de w8tam

[@HammockRadio]

@@de_w8tam Oh awesome! I kept debating getting one of those, but got the 891 instead. 😛

[@TXLorenzo]

Get a resonate EF dipole and call it done. No tuner required.

[@HammockRadio]

No argument there!

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

If you haven’t sold it yet I may be interested I live between the Adirondacks and Catskill mountains

[@HammockRadio]

Sorry, I sold it a few weeks after this video!

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

@@HammockRadio I figured as much lol. I’m slowing giving my wife hints by playing kx2 reviews. Lol. It’s a perfect SOTA/High elevation POTA rig.

[@HammockRadio]

@@brentOhlookAsnake Indeed, it's still the best rig for it. I hated to sell it, but will get used for it's intended purpose. Check out Thomas Witherspoon on YT, he's been doing a lot of POTA with a KX2.

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

@@HammockRadio thanks man. Will do.

[@KO4DFJRadio]

You peeled the screen protector off! No!

[@HammockRadio]

Ha! I hardly call that a screen protector. I have an actual screen protector on the way though.

[@TheLightningStalker]

How is AM mode on the 70cm band?

[@HammockRadio]

I have not had a chance to try 2M or 70cm yet.

[@DonHavjuan]

705 is so much easier for DIGITAL, which you didn't really address.

[@HammockRadio]

Yeah, I touched on it but didn't go into as much detail as I planned. I am planning on doing a dedicated video on it though, similar to my Win4Icom video but in the field. I've just been waiting for the weather to improve. Stay tuned!

[@VinnyBully]

Where is the KX# compare ?

[@HammockRadio]

I don't have a KX3, so I can't compare them unfortunately.

[@eduardopower5254]

How much you will ask for the kx2?

[@HammockRadio]

I just listed it today on QRZ with all of the accessories I have. Here is the post: forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/elecraft-kx2-and-accessories.733972/

[@markparkesswl1674]

The elecraft looks & sounds like a fisher price radio overpriced @ugly the maps have it wrapped up

[@HammockRadio]

It's a quality radio and you're mainly paying for it's compactness. That being said, there are some design decisions that don't work in its favor, i.e. cheap plastic VFO, having to remove the back to take the battery out, no charging the internal battery with the external DC jack, etc. Granted, everyone will default to comparing it to the Chinese radios cost wise, but they all have their own trade offs. To each his own.